This is the third album from Maynard James Keenan's "main" band Tool, and gives us things never seen in modern metal. It pushes boundaries, and has done for metal what OK Computer did for Indie. This is a marvellous work, brooding, dark and highly intelligent.

The album starts with The Grudge, an eight and a half minute structured uber-tune that most bands would give their left arm to produce something near to. This confirms Tool's "school" status - they were the kid who hangs around quietly in the corner, no friends to show, but is thinking something.

'Mantra' serves only as an introduction to the next song, but people are divided on the origins of the sample used. Maynard claims its the sound his cat makes when squeezed. Sure thing, mate. 'Schism' is the next song, and shows what they really can do. A contorted, brilliant bassline layered under lyrics of destruction and rebuilding, the band could really be a 'Wish You Were Here'-era Pink Floyd for the 21st century.

Then comes a 9-minute song split into two parts, 'Parabol' and 'Parabola'. The version of the two fused together was released on video, and is one of the greatest things ever to grace MTV screens. Other than 'Windowlicker', of course. This rythym is something you could actually hum, and is in essence the centrepiece of the record.

'Lateralus' is the eponymous track, and is another highly intelligent piece. Tool's rather brilliant drummer Danny Carey has his chance to shine here, drumming in what seems to be a Fibonacci sequence. Well, at least we know what they were doing in the 5 years between 'Aenima' and this. Reading maths books...

The last few songs pass with no particular event, but this cannot prepare you for 'Faaip De Oaid', a creepy eerie finisher to the record. A former US Army scientist tells of his experiences with extra terrestrial beings, and Carey’s drumming makes it far more sinister. Do NOT listen to late at night.

This is one of the most progressive and inventive records made in years, and is WELL worth a listen.

Ollie Connors